OBJECTIVETo dynamically observe the effect of Shenshuai Mixture (SM) on repair of kidney in acute renal failure (ARF) rats.

METHODSMale SD rats were divided into 4 groups randomly, the normal group, the SM group, the verapamil group and the model control group. Except those in the normal group were treated with normal saline without modeling, all remaining rats, after being made into ARF model by intra-muscular injection of glycerin, were treated with SM, verapamil and normal saline respectively via gastrogavage. Renal function, renal pathology, mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected once every day from the 1st day to the 5th day. Results (1) BUN and Scr levels increased markedly 24 hrs after modeling, but the Scr level in the two treated groups was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with that in the model group and the verapamil group, renal function was better in the SM group on the 3rd day (P < 0.01), and approach to normal level on the 5th day. (2) Renal pathological changes alleviated in every phase of ARF in the SM group than that in the model group, especially part of tubule regeneration could be seen on the 3rd day (metaphase), and renal structure was rehabilitated on the 5th day (convalescence), prior to those in the model group. (3) At the 3rd day expression of EGF mRNA and PCNA in tubule epithelial cell (TEC) increased remarkably in the SM group, higher than those in the model and verapamil group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSM could promote renal tissue regeneration and rehabilitation, and shorten the course of ARF through up-regulating mRNA expression of EGF in TEC.